A home health kit is a convenient way to complete a health screening for your well-being program. Here are some tips to support proper blood collection and improve sample quality. These will help ensure your sample is suitable for laboratory analysis, and help prevent delays or the need for recollection.

• Health screening options, activity name, activity dates, and deadlines will vary by program. Check your program's health screening tile or Wellmetrics page for details.

Before you begin - Tips to improve blood flow

• Hydrate well the day of collection (drink water 30–60 minutes beforehand).
• Warm your hands for 1–2 minutes using warm water or by rubbing them together.
• Collect your sample while sitting comfortably with your arm relaxed.
• Lower your hand below heart level for 30–60 seconds before the finger stick.
• Gently massage from the base of your finger toward the tip to encourage blood flow (avoid squeezing the fingertip directly).
• Avoid collecting if your hands are cold — warmth significantly improves blood flow. You can hold a warm compress or soak  your hand in warm water for 2-5 minutes to help with hand warming.

Collecting your sample

1. Wash your hands with warm water and dry them thoroughly.
2. Use the lancet provided to perform a finger stick.
3. Allow blood to form naturally into large drops.
4. Fully fill the entire square collection area using four (4) large blood drops, as indicated on the card.
   • Depending on your circulation, additional drops may be needed to completely fill the square.
5. Let each blood drop fall freely onto the card. Do not touch your finger to the card.

Important do's and don'ts

• Do not blot, smear, or rub the blood onto the card. This can interfere with sample quality.
• Do not blot, smear, or wipe the blood in the in collection area. This can interfere with sample quality.
• Allow the blood to slowly absorb on its own into the rectangular collection window. The blood should naturally spread and soak through the paper.
• Avoid applying pressure directly to the fingertip, as this can dilute the sample.

After collection

• Once the collection area is fully filled, allow the card to air dry completely before packaging and returning it.
• Allow up to 60 minutes for sample card to completely dry.

If you need assistance with your well-being program or program account, please submit a help request. Click the chat icon (speech bubble) in the lower right corner of the page to connect with a live agent, or click the Submit a Request link at the top of the page, and we'll respond as soon as possible.

When using chat, be sure to close your browser window or tab to clear your chat once the discussion is completed. This will help protect your privacy, especially is you're on a shared computer.

When submitting a help request, please include the following information as applicable:

• Your name
• Email address associated with your well-being program account
• Your phone number and time zone (we'll need to speak to you personally for account, personal information, or protected health information issues)
• Your well-being program provider/employer
• Device you’re using and the operating system
• Web browser you’re using and the version number, OR Aduro Mobile App version number (when logged in, tap the menu icon in the upper right)
• Step-by-step description of the issue, including the names of any Activities, Paths, etc. involved
• Screenshots or video that illustrate the issue, if possible